Meet the 29-stone plus-size male model who proudly shows off his frame in daring shoots after years of covering up

Arcadio Del Valle has become body confident after he walked the runway at New York's Fashion Week and become an online star

By Jon Rogers

26th February 2018, 4:40 pm

Updated: 26th February 2018, 4:53 pm

A 29-STONE-man who was so self-conscious of his weight he avoided fashionable clothes has now carved out a successful career as a plus-sized model.

Arcadio Del Valle, 30, used to let his size XXXXXL frame hold him back but has now been spotted walking the runway at New York Fashion Week.

SWNS:South West News Service

Arcadio Del Valle now makes a living as a plus-sized model

Arcadio has also amassed a legion of 7,700 fans on his Instagram page.

He started sharing photos of his outfits and revealing snaps of his 29 stone body in 2015, breaking down fashion norms and encouraging larger men to celebrate their bodies.

The model's fresh take on fashion and body confidence catapulted him to new heights in September 2016 when plus-sized streetwear brand VOLARE hired him to walk the runway at New York Fashion Week.

Arcadio, who works full-time as a staff assistant, said: "Walking down the runway was just surreal.

"My heart was pounding so hard, it almost came out of my chest.

SWNS:South West News Service

Arcadio Del Valle said he has been targeted by online trolls due to his weight

SWNS:South West News Service

Arcadio Del Valle has some 7,700 followers on Instagram

SWNS:South West News Service

Arcadio Del Valle says walking the New York Fashion Week catwalk was a 'surreal' experience

"In my whole life, I had never done anything like that.

"My sister was in the front row cheering me on and I was so proud to have her support. It was one of my best moments."

Arcadio, from Boston, Massachusetts, has walked in three major runway shows since his New York Fashion Week debut, for VOLARE and another plus-sized fashion label Brandon Kyle, which he says has transformed his confidence.

"I wasn't confident. It wasn't the case until about three years ago.

"Growing up in a world where the media urges you to look a certain way, to be a certain weight and to fit into a mold, it becomes engraved in your head.

SWNS:South West News Service

Arcadio Del Valle was once ashamed of his size

SWNS:South West News Service

Arcadio Del Valle says he was inspired by plus-sized models like Tess Holliday

SWNS:South West News Service

The 30-year-old has been on the runway three times now

"I wasn't happy with myself growing up and in my early twenties.

"When I saw people like plus-sized model Tess Holliday loving their bodies and embracing fashion, it inspired me to start doing the same.

"I began sharing photos of my outfits and my style on Instagram and I was inspired by the good feedback I was getting.

"My whole message is that even if you look a certain way or are a certain size, you can still love fashion and you can do anything you want.

Meet size 6 and 16 model best friends Georgia Gibbs and Kate Wasley

"It's been humbling to find this confidence in myself."

Although Arcadio said most of the people who comment on his photos have been positive, he is frequently attacked by trolls who leave nasty messages about his weight.

"They criticise my body shape and size and the fact that I wear makeup. They say I shouldn't expose so much of my body because I'm big.

"They say I am promoting obesity and that being unhealthy is acceptable and that is not the case at all.

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